I’m reading the book Slow Time by Waverly Fitzgerald for … I don’t know, probably the fourth time.
If you don’t count all the times that I just pick it up and start reading a page or two.
It’s one of those “it lives by my bed” books. Just seeing the cover makes me happy.
And I got to do a teleclass with Waverly last week for my Kitchen Table program (we’re spending three months working on clearing up some stuff in our relationship to time).
It was pretty spectacular. She’s just as sweet and thoughtful as I’d imagined she would be.
Anyway. I wanted to do one of the exercises from her book with you.
Naming moons.
What I love about this exercise is the playfulness.
It gives you lots of space to appreciate markers of natural time … without having to necessarily challenge your functioning world that’s made up of artificial time.
It’s also about awareness. And about choice. And about noticing things. And about bringing some of you into the things around you.
And it’s about wordishness, which is pretty much my favorite thing ever.
So if Native American tribes would name full moons (Moon of Popping Trees, Thunder Moon, Moon of Storms) …
And there are Chinese names for new moons (Peony Moon, Harvest Moon, Kindly Moon) …
Waverly thinks we should get to create moon names too! Ha.
Her students have beautiful ones.
Like The Moon of Putting on Socks (October).
Or Firefly Moon for July.
I am going to try naming my moons.
The Moon-Names of Havi’s Year.
September: The Moon of Beginnings
October: Crunching The Leaves Moon
November: Red Boots Moon
December: The Moon of Doing Yoga Under Blankets By The Fire
January: The Moon of Being Pulled To Travel Somewhere Warmer
February: Contemplation Moon (but also Roller Derby Moon!)
March: Wishing Moon
April: Walking Moon
May: Barefoot Moon
June: Lilac Moon
July: The Moon of Berries Every Day For Breakfast
August: Porch Swing Moon
Do you want to play with me? Yay.
So if you want to share some (or all) of your results here, or just to describe some of what you’re noticing while doing the exercise, that would be so cool. And fun! And really interesting.
And then I won’t have to feel like I’m being all weird by myself.
Wheee! Play with me!
Follow
it reminded me of what I really love about each month.
January: New Beginnings Moon
February: Warm Weather Wishing Moon (also known as Warm Soup and Blankets Moon)
March: Yellow Wellies Moon
April: Tulip Moon (also Birthday Reflections Moon)
May: Spring Blooms Moon
June: Coastal Moon
July: Fruits of Summer Moon
August: Summer Slowdown Moon
September: Time for Trails Moon
October: Glorious Glorious Color Moon
November: Gratitude Moon
December: Reflections Moon
.-= elizabeth´s last post … you – in one word =-.
Here we go! Lauren’s year of Moons:
September: Favorite Pen Moon
October: The of Moon of Crockery
November: Hearth and Home Moon
December: Satin Ribbon Moon
January: The Moon of Tissues in my Pocket
February: Scented Love Note Moon
March: The Moon of Awakened Senses
April: Daffodil Moon
May: The Moon of Clear Skies
June: Fresh Mint Moon
July: The Moon of Sandy Toes
August: Blessed Moon of Chilled Drinks
Thanks, that was fun!
Moon’sLark’s Moons:
September: School Supplies Moon
October: Gabriel’s Moon/Sacred Moon
November: Frost Moon
December: Song Moon
January: Blizzard Moon
February: Wanting Moon
March: Restless Moon
April: Rebirth Moon
May: Awakening Moon
June: Blooming Moon
July: Walking the Night Moon
August: Harvest Moon/Reflecting Moon
.-= Pam´s last post … A list =-.
HA! I just wrote an article about moons, but with a totally different angle.
Sep – Moon of New Births
Oct – Moon of Harvests
Nov – Moon of Fireplaces
Dec – Moon of Dusk
Jan – Moon of Dawns
Feb – Moon of New Beginnings
Mar – Moon of Saviors
Apr – Moon of Blossoms
May – Moon of Warmth
Jun – Moon of Beaches
Jul – Moon of Sands of Time
Aug – Moon of Reflections
Ok, that was totally too fun!!! Thanks Havi/Selma
.-= Biz´s last post … The Power of Music =-.
September: Leaving the Door Open for the Crisp Air Moon
October: Pumpkin Moon
November: Moon of Anniversaries (8 yrs anniversary of dating husband & 3 year anniversary of marriage this november))
December: Moon of Socks Warming by the Fireplace
January: Moon of Puffy Jackets
February: Moon of Love
March: Moon of Planting Seeds in the Dirt
April: Blooming Moon
May: Birthday Moon (yay, me)
June: Popsicle Moon
July: Pool Splashing Moon
August: Fresh Crayola Markers Moon
.-= Amber´s last post … Dig Your Job =-.
September: Birth moon
October: Star moon
November: Geese flying south moon
December: Moon asleep in the earth
January: Penny moon
February: Longing moon
March: Promise moon
April: Return moon
May: Mother moon
June: Open arms moon
July: Singing moon
August: Gather in your lap moon
.-= Hiro Boga´s last post … What happens to a gift you refuse to accept? =-.
September – Soft shawl round my shoulders Moon
October – Walking in the woods Moon
November – Seen through the window Moon
December – Ice Moon
January – Morning Moon – just realised chose this as used to see the moon as I was waiting for my morning bus, going to the job, which I don’t need to do anymore 🙂
February – Have a break Moon
March – Frog Moon
April – Birthday Moon
May – Tent Moon
June – Singing Moon
July – Hot and tired Moon
August – Big Mad Moon
Fun to play, thanks Havi 🙂 Runs off to order book….
.-= LindaH´s last post … Not really around at the moment, working… =-.
This is super neat!
My moons are:
January: Baby Moon
February: Delightful Moon
March: Birthday Moon
April: Creative Moon
May: Travel Moon
June: Ocean Moon
July: Hibernation Moon
August: Terror Moon*
September: Restful Moon
October: Expectant Moon
November: Reflection Moon
December: Stripy-Socks Moon
*(August is the Cricket Plague month here in Texas, and I am terrified of crickets.)
.-= Pace´s last post … Book Bonanza Wednesday! Chapter 31: Knowing is half the battle =-.
Hahaha! I was logged in as Pace. Those moons actually belong to Kyeli. My computer is in the shop and I’m using Pace’s.
Further evidence that we’re not actually two people. Good thing Havi’s met us in person! (;
.-= Kyeli´s last post … Book Bonanza Wednesday! Chapter 31: Knowing is half the battle =-.
Here is my moon calendar:
September: Indian Summer Moon
October: The Moon of the Falling Leaves
November: The Moon of Reading Under Warm Snuggly Blankets
December: Moon of Days of Sparkly Lights Everywhere
January: Moon of Reflections*
February: Bring Back the Sun Already Moon
March: Duality Moon
April: Nowhere Land Moon
May: Flowering Moon
June: The Moon of Musical Outdoorsiness
July: The Moon of Endless Summer Evenings in Good Company
August: Longing Moon
* New calendar year and new year in the life of Inge, only one week apart
I never realised that my mood was so connected with the seasons… March and April are months that have no associations whatsoever.
Here I go…
September: Novice’s Moon
October: Moon of Love and Death
November: Rain Moon
December: Moon of Rituals
January: Moon of Lists
February: Moon of Rants
March: Crocus Counting Moon
April: Explorer’s Moon
May: Moon of Leaves
June: Enchanted Midsummer Moon
July: Moon of Heat
August: Fed Up Moon
Hey, I didn’t know that about April. Cool!
The most important for me would be from October to April — the Sockmonkey Moons. 🙂
Though from May to October is important, too — the Not Going to the Gym but Exercising Outdoors Moons.
.-= Melle´s last post … Veni, vidi, BlogHer =-.
This is awesome… also always loved looking these up…
Okay. My stab:
September: Birth Day Moon
October: Apple Cider and Ginger Snaps Moon
November: Crispy Crackly Moon
December: Glittery Moon
January: Brand New Calendar!! Moon
February: Stirring Seeds Moon
March: Chill Stuck in the Back of My Neck Moon
April: Blushing Moon
May: Tulip Moon (or Anniversary Moon)
June: Windows Open Wide Moon
July: Jersey Shore Moon (also Lounging on the Deck with a Cold Beer Moon)
August: Sweltering and Hazy Moon
.-= Gina´s last post … How Do You Show Up? The Sequal =-.
oh wow I just realized my list is symmetrical. There’s a six-month cycle in there!
January: Hockey on the pond moon
February: Golden willow moon
March: Mating salamanders moon; also Mud season moon
April: Finding fiddleheads moon
May: Troutlilies Moon
June: Rose Festival Moon; also Wiggle your bare feet moon
July: Picking blackberries moon
August: Cicada singing moon
September: Snowgoose flying south moon
October: Bonfire moon; also Roasting marshmallows moon
November: Bare trees moon
December: Hunting snow shovels moon
(I live in New England)
What a cool exercise!
January: Hard-working moon
February: Shivering moon
March: Wishing for Sunshine moon
April: Washing Away Winter moon
May: Azalea Moon of Peace
June: Barefoot Firefly Chasing moon
July: Lazy Summer moon
August: Lions in the Shade moon
September: Harvest moon
October: Metamorphosis moon
November: Snuggling up for Winter moon
December: Crystalline Snowfall moon
.-= Abby´s last post … Learning Lindy =-.
These are fun! I think the urge is to start in September because you did, but I left it there since that’s my birthday and also for the first many years of my life it was Back to School. 😉
September: New Beginnings Moon (birthday!)
October: Retreating Indoors Moon
November: Gratitude Moon
December: Giving Moon
January: Resting Moon
February: Quiet Moon
March: Weeping Moon (rainy season)
April: Sneezing Moon (pollen)
May: Renewal Moon
June: Sunlit Moon
July: Distraction Moon (vacation! no work! no vacation!)
August: Fire Moon
.-= Amy Crook´s last post … Meeting Myself Halfway =-.
Ha, super fun. Originally all of mine except the dead of winter were flowers.
January: Making-plans moon
February: Paris moon
March: New shoots moon
April: Tulip moon
May: Cut-the-grass moon
June: Slip-and-slide moon
July: Lily moon
August: Lazy moon
September: Chrysanthemum moon
October: Garden catalog moon
November: Pie moon
December: Sparkling light moon
.-= Sonia Simone´s last post … Are You Sure Your Content MarketingStrategy Is a Good Fit? =-.
Ooh ooh oooh!!! Lullaby Moon!!! There’s been this AWESOME thing going on in Seattle at every new moon –
http://lucianeare.org/lullabymoon.htm
Beautiful dances, gorgeous costumes, and this magical sense of all my right people coming together in an organic happening!
Come see!!!
August: Surrender Moon
September: New Moon
October: Talking Moon
November: Cool Moon
December: Fire Moon
January: ColdPlay Moon
February: Silly Moon
March: Sun Behind Clouds Moon
April: Fresh Start Moon
May: Laughing Moon
June: Moon Moon
July: Going Moon
.-= Jason´s last post … The Alarms – Anger, Guilt, & Shame =-.
September: Pale Moon
October: Crisp Moon
November: Chill Moon
December: Wolf Moon
January: Beginnings Moon
February: Soft Moon
March: Crazy Moon
April: Fools Moon
May: Budding Moon
June: Lace Moon
July: Watchful Moon
August: Lazy Moon
September: Practical new shoes moon
October: Picking apples at Green Bluff moon
November: Both babies born moon (aka Full Mama Moon)
December: Sparkly, twinkly, cozy inside moon
December alternate: First blizzard of winter moon
January: Haven’t I shoveled this already? moon
February: I know I’ve shoveled this already! moon
March: Sow seeds indoors too early moon
April: Birthday and anniversary moon
May: Maybe we can plant outside moon
June: Hurry, enjoy the warm weather moon
July: Ahh, real summer moon
August: Eat a million garden tomatoes moon
I loved doing this! I might just do it again. Thanks for the inspiration.
Just the thing I needed to take my mind off looming deadlines for a moment. Thanks Havi!
September: Back to School Moon
October: Apples & Sweaters Moon
November: Milestones Moon (our first date, house purchase, and birth of our daughter, along with countless other significant things, all happened in November.)
December: Long Blue Shadows Moon
January: Post-Holiday Waddle Moon
February: Longest Short Moon (also Anniversary Moon)
March: Mud Season Moon
April: Doesn’t LOOK Like Spring Moon
May: Last Turtleneck Moon
June: Homestretch Moon
July: Traveler’s Moon
August: Languid Moon
.-= Liz Grandmaison´s last post … New Artwork, Old Jazz Club =-.
I know my year starts in September because I grew up in an observant Jewish household. I wonder if so many commenters started their years in September because you did, or because they’re all Jewish, or because the new school year feels like the start of the year…
September: Resolution Moon
October: Crisp Moon
November: Foggy Breath Moon
December: Faraway Moon
January: Birthday Moon
February: Lover’s Moon
March: Forsythia Moon
April: New Leaves Moon
May: Freedom Moon
June: Summer Moon
July: Fawn Moon
August: Chirping Moon
.-= Pirate´s last post … In Which the Pirate Finds the Shoes. =-.
I’m glad I gave you a laugh, Havi. (; It’s neat that you can tell us apart, even when we make it hard.
For us, the year begins in December. Samhain (October 31st) is the end of the old year and Yule (December 21st) is when the new year dawns. The time between is the quiet time of no time.
I’m going to work harder to honor that this year.
.-= kyeli´s last post … Book Bonanza Wednesday! Chapter 31: Knowing is half the battle =-.
September: Falling Leaves Moon
October: Pumpkin Moon
November: Chilly Moon
December: Get Together Moon
January: Hibernation Moon
February: Opening Eyes Moon
March: Sprouting Moon
April: Everything Smells Good Moon
May: Sun and Moon
June: Evening Walks Moon
July: Green Bounty Moon
August: Harvest Moon
Ahh this was so much fun! Oh and I like Kyeli’s stripey-socks moon too. 🙂
.-= Nathalie Lussier´s last post … Raw Food Dehydrators: What, Why, and How To Dehydrate Snacks =-.
Havi, you might find this interesting:
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/objects/moon/3304131.html
(How the “Blue Moon” entered the lexicon.)
The “real” moon names you find in Old Farmer’s Almanac are also so poignant. Like “Dying Grass Moon”….
This is a fragment from a work-in-progress you also might find intriguing, in a synchronistic why-is-it-we’re-all-thinking-of-similar-stuff-in-tandem kind of way:
“A year of thirteen moons begins with Wolf Moon shrugging against the cold, followed by Hunger Moon, questing for crumbs. Worm Moon would prefer a prettier name, like her sister Egg, but the earthworm castings mean the ground has thawed. By the time Milk Moon fills her cup, the season is ripe.” -LGF
.-= Lisa Firke´s last post … I’m confused — Why would a designer recommend a free option? =-.
January: Relief Moon
February: Weariness Moon
March: Hope Moon
April: Daffodil Moon
May: Garden-making Moon
June: Honey Moon
July: Too Hot, Too Hot Moon
August: Zucchini and Tomato Moon
September: Back to Bento-making Moon
October: Trepidation Moon
November: Cold Muddy Moon
December: Sorrow Moon
.-= Melynda´s last post … Baby Steps =-.
September: Starting Over Moon
October: Moon of Opportunities
November: Joyous Shiver Moon
December: Moon of Many Presents 🙂
January: New Beginnings Moon
February: Enduring Moon
March: Moon of Many Adventures
April: Bleak and Dreary Moon
May: Moon of New Dreams
June: Moon of Many Flavors
July: Sweaty Moon
August: Moon of Acceptance
September: Pittsburgh Steelers Moon
October: Ghostie Moon
November: Gobble Gobble Moon
December: Slumber Moon
January: Moon of All Possibilities
February: Rainy Moon
March: Spring Cleaning Moon
April: Baseball Moon
May: Hot Dogs Moon
June: Bustin Out All Over Moon
July: Sultry Moon
August: Me Moon
LOVED doing this — and reading all the others. Yay Havi, thanks!
I love this exercise…
For me, being Pagan, the winter year begins with Gabriel’s Moon, Samhain and my BoyChild’s birthday (Oct 31), and the Summer Year begins in May with Beltaine (May 1)… formally, my year renews itself with Samhain…
I have always thought that it was really really WONDERFUL that my “death” as the “maiden” and “birth” as a mother happened on Samhain of 2000…
(wow… I miss my babies now…)
.-= Pam´s last post … Another Time Away… =-.
What a fun thing to do!
September – Generous Moon
October – Moon of Fire
November – Blustery Moon
December – Moon of Green Hills (OK, I live in CA)
January – Moon of Ice
February – Birthday Moon
March – Moon of Hope
April – Wildflower Moon
May – Garden Moon
June – Moon of Cool Mornings
July – Ghost Stories Moon
August – Tomato Moon
I knew I wanted to have the word moon in the name of my new business, and it took me a long time to come with the right name. There were a lot of names I came up with that I liked but they were already taken. I finally named it Calla Moon Jewelry Design. I started last month, so I guess that’s July’s moon.
.-= Riin´s last post … Amazing =-.
December: God within the Darkness Moon
January: New Beginnings Moon
February: Hoping Hearts Moon
March: Awakening Moon
April: Transforming Moon
May: New Breath Moon
June: Toe Tickling Moon
July: Wise Woman Moon
August: Prickly Heat Moon
September: Coloring Moon
October: Death into Life Moon
November: Frosty Dew Moon
I love this! Thanks for letting me play.
Sept: The Moon of Wild Rejoicing Because the Kids are Finally Back in School
Oct: The Moon of Muddy Soccer Fields
Nov: The Moon of Baking Pies and Bread
Dec: The Moon of Too Many Decorations
Jan: The Moon of OH FUCK IT’S JANUARY AGAIN
Feb: The Moon of Gritting my Teeth
Mar: The Moon of Endless Rain
Apr: The Moon of Lovely Wet Dirt
May: The Moon of One More Year Ticking Over
June: The Moon of Adjustment
July: The Moon of Summer Camps
August: The Moon of Winding Down and Gearing Up
Havi, you rock. Thanks for being around.
Okay, I’ll play . . .
September: Fresh Pencil Moon
October: Jack O’ Lantern Moon
November: Pilgrim Pageant Moon
December: Open Sleigh Moon
January: Maybe This Time Moon
February: Birthday Moon!
March: Anticipation Moon
April: Fresh Grass Moon
May: Mother’s Moon
June: Promise Moon
July: Firework Moon
August: Lazy Moon
.-= Terry Heath´s last post … “The Big Sleep” – Pulp Fiction for the Thinking Man =-.
O, O, Fun – yay! Love these Moony Names and want to play too…
September – Blossoming Moon
October – Heating Up Moon
November – Sweaty Moon
December – Moon in a red hat
January – Rainy after-moon Moon
February – Sticky Moon
March – Casting Moon
April – Big Ideas Moon
May – Moon of work
June – Cheese cake Moon
July – Moon in a scarf
August – Huffy-Puffy Moon
What fun, thank you Havi!
.-= Marilyn´s last post … It is written… =-.
Oh, this should be fun!
September – Fall is in the air Moon
October – First frost Moon
November – Playing in the leaves Moon
December – Lots of food and shopping Moon
January – I could get used to all of these holidays Moon
February – Winter knitting Moon
March – Spring is in the air Moon
April – Rebirth and growth Moon
May – Gardening Moon
June – Flowering Moon
July – Air-conditioning Moon
August – Ready for Fall Moon
.-= Sydney´s last post … Three Mockingbirds =-.
Havi!
Thanks so much for featuring my book and sharing this exercise on your blog. I loved, loved, loved reading all the names. It’s such a delicious way to see how someone else experiences the year.
Here’s my list (done on the spur of the moment;I had actually never done this before. I’ve been crazy for flowers lately, which partly explains my list:
January–Wishing Moon
February–Snowdrop Moon
March–Daffodil Moon
April–Pink Rain Moon (when the cherry blossoms fall)
May–Iris Moon
June–Rose Moon
July–Ice Cream Moon
August–Dry Grass Moon
September–Harvest Moon (I’m going to go with the traditional one here–to me this is the Mama Moon of the year, which might be another name for it or maybe Mystery Moon)
October–Falling Leaves Moon
November–Hibernating Moon
December–Crisp Moon
You wondered where people usually started the year. Usually January or September or a birthday month. I think where you start the year does have significance, in showing where you feel renewed.
But you know, there are many new year days in a year, so you can always start the year over again any time you like.
.-= Waverly´s last post … Edible Flowers =-.
I’m starting my day by naming moons. Huzzah.
September – New Pencils Moon
October – the Moon of Acorns
November – the Moon of Wood Fires
December – the Moon of Cocooning
January – the Moon of Grand Hopes
February – Countdown Moon
March – Daffodil Moon
April – the Moon of So Many Birthdays
May – the Moon of New Flip Flops
June – the Moon of Ripe Cherries
July – the Moon of Wild Thunderstorms
August – the Moon of Silver Queen Corn
.-= Melissa´s last post … Suzanne Cabrera – Artist, Sketch-blogger, Teacher & Pokey’s Mom =-.
I was also interested in why some of us start their year in September. Being the child of a professor and having lived on one campus or another for most of my life, I still think of the “new year” as the new school year. To me, September is always full of new beginnings and new possibilities (new classes, new friends, new cute boys….). Not sure why Spring semester doesn’t do that for me…
Woke up thinking about my moon names so thought I’d share too!
January: Incubation Moon
February: Wooly Mammoth Moon
March: Spelunker Moon
April: Emerging Turtle Moon
May: Always-All-Along Moon
June: Night Reveler’s Moon
July: White Cotton Moon
August: Sleeping Dogs Moon
September: Basket Weaver’s Moon
October: Vermilion Mother’s Moon
November: Sorcerer Moon
December: Hunkering Down Moon
So much fun!
.-= Sarah´s last post … Beads: Buying Tips (part 1) =-.
These are all so beautiful! I want to add exclamation points to all of them because that’s totally how I read them.
Anticipation Moon! Cheese cake Moon! The Moon of New Flip Flops! Spelunker Moon!
Love it.
And it’s really cool to read everyone’s different associations with the different months.
For me the year definitely starts in September (school, rosh hashana, my favorite season, end of the summer which for me is the hard, hard hibernation time). But I love the idea that we can start it whenever.
Thanks, Waverly!
Southern Hemisphere moons
January: Sweltering birth moon
February: Lay-on-the-grass-sweaty-by-the-river moon
March: Still-eating-tons-of-ice-cream moon
April: Shifting-colors moon
May: Rustling leaves moon
June: Stews-with-the-heater-on moon
July: Snuggling-under-blankets-with-loved-ones moon
August: Bright leafless chubby moon
September: Blooming moon
October: Peaceful-breeze-through-open-windows moon
November: Warm hugs moon
December: Private-love-gathering-and-flip-flops-moon
Thank you for sharing!!
What a beautiful way to start my weekend:
December (my birth month): Doorways and Windows Moon
January: Moon of Important Commitments
February: Steamy Bowl of Soup-for-Two Moon
March: Moon of Rain and Wind
April: Blooming Grace Moon
May: Nurturing Moon
June: Moon of Beautiful Friends
July: Sexy Crazy Moon
August: Meteor Moon of Wishing on Falling Stars
September: Paper Fetish Moon
October: Moon of the Pumpkin Corn Maze
November: Full-as-a-tick Moon
My initial thought when I first read this post was a memory of naming colors with a past lover. Our favorite color was called “Rise With Me White” and was inspired by the moon rise on our first date.
.-= Tea Silvestre´s last post … The Golden Triangle of Coffee (a parable for the small business owner) =-.
Reading your post got me thinking about September, which I shall have to call The Moon of New Opportunities. For the first time since I was 6, I will not be going back to school. It’s been 30 years of going to school, university and teaching, and for the first time I won’t be there. It’s a bit scary, but the reason is glorious – I’ve quit my job so I can stay home with my daughter, who is 9 months old. It’s rather freeing to know that I can start charting a new course then, and can go with what she needs and wants for a while. I’ll go back to some sort of teaching eventually, but I’m going to savour this time when Things Were Different. Yay!
.-= Beth´s last post … Wordless Wednesday =-.
August ~ Starry Night Moon
August ~ Starry Night Moon
September ~ Quickening Mind Moon
October ~ Wild Pumpkin Moon
November ~ Letting Go of the Old Moon
December ~ Contemplating the Future Moon
January ~ Outrageous Wishes Moon
February ~ Wild Hearts Can’t Be Broken Moon
March ~ Giving Birth to New Beginnings Moon
April ~ Embracing Changes Moon
May ~ Crazy About Jacaranda Trees Moon
June ~ Poetic Big Sky Moon
July ~ First Taste of Autumn Moon